Breakdown of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson

ONE Sentence summary:
Lisbeth Salandar’s story continues right where the previous book left off, with her lying with an open wound, bleeding out after attempting to murder her father in self defense (who is a protected source deep within the government).


TWO Things I would have done differently:I would have double checked some of the translations and cut out a lot of the history. (I ended up doing a lot of skimming for this one.)


THREE Titles that if you liked...you will like this:1.) The previous two Steig Larsson books.(Side note: The Hennepin County Library Website is an excellent source for book ideas.)2.) Girl Who Played With Fire post3.) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post


FOUR Reasons to care:1.) It’s the epic conclusion of a fascinating series.2.) It was a bestseller for several weeks.3.) It’s going to be a movie, since the first one was. Ahh, sequels.4.) The violence on women in this book is fought back against BY women. It’s interesting to read about women coming to the defense for other women...and sometimes the men.


FIVE Facts about the author:Girl Who Played With Fire postThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo post


SIX Emotions I felt while reading:Amused, entertained, a little bored, anxious, worried, relieved


SEVEN Thoughts:1.) How corrupt is the government, really?2.) At what point do media outlets determine the outcome of specific trials?3.) Should prostitution be illegal in all countries?4.) If a woman is physical stronger than a man, how are the gender roles reconciled?5.) At what point does it matter if something is illegal? (If no one reports it, presses charges, complains etc.)6.) What would you do if you had ridiculous sums of money, after you had done everything you ever dreamed of doing?7.) If a friendship exists solely online, is it real? EIGHT Buzzwords:Violence, abuse, journalism, espionage, corruption, government, crime, money.


NINE Plot device/writing techniques/tools/tricks:1.) Weather as metaphor2.) Email as plot device3.) Perspective and multiple points of view4.) Flashbacks, memories, thought processes5.) Gradual development as a means to an end6.) Flexibility with time tags7.) In medius res. Continuing a story from the middle of things.8.) Travel as metaphor9.) Suspense


TEN Point plot summary:
1.) Salandar is rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries.2.) A secret group of individuals plans to lock her away in a psychiatric hospital...just like last time. 3.) Blomkvist cooks up a new story detailing Salandar’s innocence.4.) The police investigation continues, changes angles and expands.5.) A new investigation in a different unit, but same organization as the secret group of individuals begins a fresh investigation. 6.) Salandar gets a lawyer... Blomkvist’s sister. 7.) Salandar helps out a friend, from the hospital bed using only a hand held computer that was smuggled into her.8.) Salandar goes to trial. 9.) Salandar hears the result of the trial.
10.) The series wraps up in a somewhat satisfying manner.